Raceway fitting with or without fitting base

ABSTRACT

A cover fitting for connecting more than one raceway includes an L-shaped top having first and second curved grooves extending along the inner surface of the top and a plurality of hooks extending outwardly from the inner surface for engaging a portion of each raceway base. The cover fitting further includes first and second opposing sides extending from the inner surface of the top. The cover fitting can be used with a fitting base received in first and second grooves for situations requiring a specific bend radius, or in applications without a fitting base, where there are no bend radius requirements.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/521,674 filed on Mar. 8, 2000, the subject matter of whichis herewith incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to wire delivery systems, such as araceway, and fittings used for connecting more than one raceway. Inparticular, the fittings are formed of various elbows and tees to allowthe wire delivery system to easily manage corners of a room.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Wire delivery systems, such as raceways, are employed to hold andmanage wires, such as voice, data, and power wiring. Specifically, theraceway is mounted to a supporting surface, such as a wall or ceiling,and the raceway distributes the wires carried therein throughout a room.Fittings, such as interior and exterior elbows and tees, are used toconnect more than one raceway, especially when negotiating corners ofthe room. This provides efficient delivery and management of the wiringthroughout a room while hiding the unattractive wires.

[0004] Particular types of wiring fiber optic or category 5 cable, canrequire certain bend radii when the direction of the wiring changes,such as at a corner of a room. As a result, it is necessary to make anduse special fittings that add a curved base having the appropriate bendradius to avoid damage to the wires or cables. Commonly, one type ofraceway fitting is used for wire or cable needing a specific bend radiuswhile another is used when the wire or cable does not need a specificbend radius. This type of situation increases costs and is inefficient.

[0005] Examples of prior art fittings are disclosed in the U.S. Pat.Nos.: 6,002,089 to Hemingway et al.; 5,753,855 to Nicoli et al.;5,390,968 to Favalora; 5,469,893 to Caveney et al.; 5,929,380 Carlson,Jr. et al.; 5,161,580 to Klug; 4,951,716 to Tsunoda et al.; and D413,306to Scherer et al. and U.K. Patent No. 1,493,410.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an improvedraceway fitting that is cost effective and efficient to use.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is provide a racewayfitting that can be employed in applications needing a curved base orapplications not requiring a curved base.

[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is provide a racewayfitting that can be used with a mitered connection between raceways orwith a curved adapter.

[0009] The foregoing primary object is basically attained by a coverfitting for a raceway, comprising a top having inner and outer surfacesand first and second curved walls extending along the inner surfaceforming a first segment of a first groove for receiving a firstpartition of a raceway base fitting covered by the cover fitting. Thetop further includes a plurality of securing members extending outwardlyfrom its inner surface for engaging a portion of a raceway base. Thecover fitting also has a first side extending outwardly from the innersurface and a second side extending outwardly from the inner surfaceremote from the first side.

[0010] The foregoing primary object is also attained by a method ofconnecting two substantially identical cover fittings to a racewaywherein said two substantially identical cover fittings include firstand second cover fittings, each of the first and second cover fittingshave a top and opposing first and second sides. The method comprises thesteps of placing the first cover fitting over a junction point of tworaceway bases, the junction point being a miter joint and placing thesecond cover fitting over a curved base fitting coupled between tworaceway bases.

[0011] One benefit of the invention is that by designing the coverfitting in this fashion, it can be employed either with a base foraccommodating wiring such as category 5 which mat require a specificbend radius, or without a base for wiring not requiring a specific bendradius. Therefore, the need for two separate cover fittings for eachapplication is eliminated reducing manufacturing costs and increasingefficiency in employing a raceway delivery system.

[0012] Other objects, advantages and salient features of the inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description, whichtaken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferredembodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Referring to the drawings which form a part of this disclosure

[0014]FIG. 1 is a top side perspective view of a raceway fittingaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention, illustratingthe fitting assembled on two mitered raceways;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a top side perspective view of the raceway fittingillustrated in FIG. 1, but showing the fitting assembled with twonon-mitered raceways with a raceway base located between the racewaysand under the fitting;

[0016]FIG. 3 is an exploded, front, side perspective view of racewayfitting in FIG. 1, showing the fitting being connected to two miteredraceways;

[0017]FIG. 4 is an exploded, front, side perspective view of racewayfitting in FIG. 2, showing the fitting being connected to two racewayswith a base therebetween;

[0018]FIG. 5 is an exploded, front, side perspective view of the racewayfitting in FIG. 1, showing the fitting being assembled with a curvedbase;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a rear, side perspective view of the raceway fittingillustrated in FIG. 1, showing grooves and guide ribs employed incategory 5 and non-category 5 applications;

[0020]FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 inFIG. 1, showing the fitting engaged with a raceway;

[0021]FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 inFIG. 2, showing the fitting engaged with a raceway with a base disposedtherebetween;

[0022]FIG. 9 is an exploded, front, top perspective view of a racewayfitting according to a second embodiment of the invention, illustratingthe fitting being connected to two mitered raceways;

[0023]FIG. 10 is an exploded, front, top perspective view of the racewayfitting illustrated in FIG. 9, showing the fitting being connected totwo non-mitered raceways with a base therebetween;

[0024]FIG. 11 is an exploded, front, top perspective view of the racewayfitting in FIG. 9, showing the fitting with a curved base;

[0025]FIG. 12 is an exploded, front, top perspective view of a racewayfitting according to a third embodiment of the invention, illustratingthe fitting being connected to two mitered raceways;

[0026]FIG. 13 is an exploded, front, top perspective view of the racewayfitting illustrated in FIG. 12, showing the fitting being connected totwo non-mitered raceways with a base therebetween; and

[0027]FIG. 14 is an exploded, front, top perspective view of the racewayfitting in FIG. 12, showing the fitting with a curved base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] A wire delivery system comprises raceways 10 that hold wiring anda cover fitting 12, according to the present invention, connecting thetwo raceways 10, as seen in FIGS. 1-8. A base fitting 14, canalternatively be used with cover fitting 12 in applications, such ascategory 5 applications or fiber optic cables, that require a certainbend radius to prevent damage to the wiring.

[0029] In particular, FIGS. 1 and 3 show cover fitting 12 connecting twomitered raceways 10 with their respective ends abutting one anotherforming a miter joint. Such an arrangement is employed when deliveringpower and/or voice wiring which do not require a certain bend radiuswhen a change in direction occurs, such as non-category 5 applications.FIGS. 2 and 4 show cover fitting 12 alternatively being used to connecttwo non-mitered raceways 10 with their respective ends being spaced fromone another with a curved base fitting disposed therebetween and undercover fitting 12. Base fitting 14 provides a specific bend radius, forexample, the appropriate bend radius for category 5 wiring. Although theassemblies shown FIGS. 1 and 2 are the same, sectional views in FIGS. 7and 8 clearly show the distinctions between the two figures, as will bediscussed in detail below.

[0030] Raceway 10 is generally a plastic, elongated member that holdswiring to be delivered throughout a room, such as an office, protectingand hiding the unattractive wiring from view. Raceway 10 includes araceway base 16 mounted to a surface by fasteners 17 with a racewaycover 18 attached thereto, forming an enclosure for holding the wiring.Specifically raceway base 16 includes a bottom wall 20 and opposingsidewalls 22 extending perpendicularly from bottom wall 20 with eachsidewall 22 having an inward lip 24 for engaging raceway cover 18, asseen in FIGS. 1 and 2. First and second dividing walls 26 also extendfrom bottom wall 20 equal distant from each sidewall 22, respectively,forming three channels, two outer channels 30 and a middle channel 22,each having substantially the same dimensions. The multi-channels allowraceway 10 to carry any combination of wiring, such as voice, data orpower wiring. Each outer channel 30 each includes a track 34 that bothconnects to base fitting 14 and provides a guide for extending fastener17 through raceway 10 when mounting raceway 10.

[0031] Raceway cover 18 is connected to raceway base 16 by mountingraceway cover 18 on support members 28 disposed on the distal ends ofdividing walls 26 of raceway base 16. In particular, raceway cover 18includes upper and lower surfaces 36 and 38 with hooks 40 extendingdownwardly from lower surface 38 proximate each side of raceway cover18. Hooks 40 correspond to and engage lips 24 of sidewalls 22 forming aseparable connection with raceway base 16. Raceway cover 18 alsoincludes cover tracks 42 that extend along lower surface 38 thatcorrespond to and receive support members 28 of dividing walls 26, asbest seen in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1-8, a flat elbow or cover fitting 12,according to the first embodiment of the present invention, includes atop 50 and first and second opposing sides 52 and 54 extending from andbeing substantially perpendicular with cover fitting 12. In particular,top 50 has two sections 56 connected at joint 59 having inner and outersurfaces 62 and 64 forming a substantial L-shape with first side 52extending from the inner portion of the L and opposing second sideextending along the outer portion of the L. Each section 56 furtherincludes a central bend 60 that matches a bend 44 formed in racewaycover 18 allowing first and second ends 57 and 58 of each section 56,respectively, to accommodate raceway 10. A pair of hooks or securingmembers 66 extend from inner surface 62 and are disposed proximate firstand second sides 52 and 54 at first and second ends 57 and 58 forengaging raceway 10, as best seen in FIG. 6.

[0033] Cover fitting 12 also includes first and second curved walls 68and 70 extending along inner surface 62 between ends 57 and 58 proximatefirst side 52, forming a first segment 72 of a first groove 74, as bestseen in FIG. 6. A first guide rib 76 also extends along inner surface 62from end 57 to joint 59 forming a second segment 78 of first groove 74.Likewise, a second guide rib 80 extends along inner surface 62 fromsecond end 58 to joint 59 abutting the end of first guide rib 76 andforming a third segment 82 of first groove 74.

[0034] Similarly, third and fourth curved walls 84 and 86 also extendalong inner surface 62 between ends 57 and 58 and spaced from first andsecond walls 68 and 70, forming a first segment 88 of a second groove90. Also a third guide rib 92 extends from first end 57 to joint 59forming a second segment 94 of second groove. Likewise, a fourth guiderib 96 extends from second end 58 to joint 59 abutting third rib 92,forming a third segment 98 of second groove 90.

[0035] First and second grooves 74 and 90 define three curved channelsections along inner surface 62, as shown in FIG. 6. In particular, afirst outer channel section 100 is defined between first side 52 andfirst curved wall 68 of first groove 74. A second outer channel section102 is defined between second side 54 and fourth curved wall 86 ofsecond groove 90. A third middle channel section 104 is defined betweensecond curved wall 70 of first groove 74 and third curved wall 84 ofsecond groove 90.

[0036] First and second grooves 74 and 90 of cover fitting 12 are curvedto accommodate the curvature of base fitting 14 with first, second, andthird channel sections 100, 102, and 104 corresponding to channelsections of base fitting 14, as described below. When base fitting 14 isnot employed, first, second, third, and fourth guide ribs 76, 80, 92, 96define first, second, third guide channels sections 112, 114, and 116 toguide and separate the wires extending from each raceway 10.Specifically, first guide channel section 112 is defined between firstside 52 and first and second guide ribs 76 and 80. Second guide channelsection 114 is defined between second side 54 and third and fourth guideribs 92 and 96. Third guide channel section 116 is defined between firstand second guide channel sections 112 and 114.

[0037] Preferably, inner surface 62 of top 50 also includes astrengthening rib 106 extending along joint 59 with a centrally disposedmolding depression 108 and support ribs 110 extending from first andsecond sides 52 and 54 proximate each end 57 and 58. However,strengthening rib 106 and support ribs 110 are not necessary inemploying cover fitting 12. In addition, it is preferable that coverfitting 12 be formed of a unitary one-piece member, but top 50, sections56, and first and second sides 52 and 54 can be separably made andintegrally attached by any known attachment. In addition, it is alsopreferable that cover fitting 12 be formed of the same material asraceway 10, but these can be formed of any material, including anyplastic material.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, base fitting 14 includes a curve bottom120 with curved first, second, third, and fourth partitions 122, 124,126, and 128, extending substantially perpendicularly from bottom 1 20with each subsequent partition, from first to fourth, being longer. Thepartitions form three channel sections which correspond to the channelsof raceway 10 and the channel sections of cover fitting 12.Specifically, a first base outer channel section 130 is formed betweenfirst partition 122 and second partition 124. A second outer basechannel section 132 is formed between third and fourth partitions 126and 128, and a third inner base channel section 133 is formed betweenfirst and second outer base channel sections 130 and 132. First andsecond base channel sections 130 and 132 each further include a track134 extending therethrough along inner surface 62, which corresponds totracks 34 of first and second outer channels 30 of raceway 10,respectively. In addition, a tab 136 extends from each end of each track134 for engaging tracks 34 of raceway 10 connecting base fitting 14 withraceway 10. The curvature of bottom 120 and partitions 122, 124, 126,and 128 are determined by the required bend radius needed for category 5wiring when a change of direction occurs, such as when rounding acorner.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1-8, cover fitting 12 can be employed byitself to connect two mitered raceways 10 as in non-category 5applications, for holding wires 27 that do not require a certain bendradius, as best seen in FIG. 3. Alternatively, cover fitting 12 can beemployed with base fitting 14 as in category 5 applications, for holdingwires 29 that do require a certain bend radius, as best seen in FIG. 4.In both instances, cover fitting 12 directly engages each raceway 10.

[0040] In applications such as non-category 5 applications, the tworaceways 10 are mitered and their ends abut one another forming a rightangle or L, as seen in FIG. 3. Cover fitting 12 connects the tworaceways 10 by snap fitting cover fitting 12 over each raceway base 16by releasably engaging hooks 66 with lips 24 of each raceway basefitting 16, as seen in FIG. 7, such that one of the raceways extendsthrough first end 57 of cover fitting 12 and the other raceway extendsthrough second end 58. Each hook 66 has a stop member 61 that abuts thetop of lip 24 restricting the movement of raceway 10 with respect tocover fitting 12; Although it is preferable to employ a snap fit, anyknown type of attachment means can be used to engage the cover fitting12 with each raceway 10.

[0041] Prior to this engagement, a portion of raceway cover 18 must becut away to allow access to lip 24 such that only the very end of coverfitting 12 covers raceway cover 18. The rest of cover fitting 12 coversthe raceway base 16 of each raceway 10 leaving a small space betweensupport members 28 and top 50 with first and second sides 52 and 54overlapping each sidewall 22 of each raceway 10, respectively. First andsecond outer guide channels sections 112 and 114 defined along innersurface 62 of cover fitting 12 correspond to first and second outerraceway channels 30 of each raceway 10. Similarly, third inner guidechannel section 116 corresponds to middle raceway channel 32. The guidechannel sections of cover fitting 12 operate to guide and maintainseparate the wires 27 held within their respective raceway channels whenextended through the fitting. Although only one wire 27 is shown perguide channel section 112, 114, and 116 of cover fitting 12, any numberof wires can be held within each guide channel section 112, 114, 116, oreach channel can be filled to capacity with wires.

[0042] In applications such as category-5 applications, the two raceways10 are cut at a straight angle at their ends 31, rather than mitered,and are spaced from one another such that only a portion of eachrespective raceway 10 extends into cover fitting 12, as best seen inFIG. 4. Cover fitting 12 connects the two raceways 10 in the same manneras described above for applications such as non-category 5 applicationsafter a portion of each raceway cover 18 has been removed. However, whendealing with category 5-type wiring, base fitting 14 must be employed toprevent damage to the wiring. In particular, base fitting 14 is disposedbetween the ends of each raceway 10 with tabs 136 being received intracks 34 of each raceway base 16, connecting base fitting 14 to eachraceway 10.

[0043] In addition, as seen in FIG. 8, cover fitting 12 covers basefitting 14 such that second and third partitions 124 and 126 arereceived in first and second grooves 74 and 90, respectively, and firstand second sides 52 and 54 overlap both sidewalls 22 of each raceway 10and first and fourth partitions 122 and 128 of base fitting 14,restricting the movement of base fitting 14 with respect to coverfitting 12. First and second base channel sections 130 and 132correspond to first and second outer channel sections 100 and 102 ofcover fitting 12 and middle base channel section 133 corresponds tomiddle channel section 104. The channel sections of cover fitting 12 andbase fitting 14 form three channels which correspond to the racewaychannels of each raceway 10 keeping the wires 29 of each raceway channelseparate as they extend through cover fitting 12 and base fitting 14.Although only one wire 29 is shown per channel, any number of wires canbe held within each channel, or each channel can be filled to capacitywith wires.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 9-11, an internal elbow or cover fitting 138,according to a second embodiment of the present invention, includes atop 140 and first and second opposing sides 144 and 146 extending fromopposing ends of cover fitting 138, similar to cover fitting 12.However, unlike top 50 of cover fitting 12, top 140 is formed of onesection having a convex inner surface 148 and a concave outer surface150. First and second sides 144 and 146 extend from inner surface 148and are curved to match the curvature of top 140. This allowscover-fitting 138 to connect two raceways 10 when they converge to acorner forming an acute angle 162 therebetween, since the curvature oftop 140 and first and second sides 144 and 146 corresponds to the acuteangle 162, as best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, such that top 140 covers eachraceway base 16 and first and second sides 144 and 146 overlap thesidewalls 22 of each raceway base 16.

[0045] As with cover fitting 12, cover-fitting 138 has hooks that engageeach lip 24 of each raceway base 16 and a central bend 142 disposedlaterally across top 140 that accommodates bend 44 of each raceway 10upon assembling cover fitting 138 with raceways 10. In addition, coverfitting 138 includes first and second grooves 152 and 154 which extendlaterally across inner surface 148. First and second grooves 152 and 154are spaced from one another on either side of central bend 142 forming afirst outer channel section 156 between first side 144 and first groove152, a second outer channel section 158 between second side 146 andsecond groove 154, and a middle channel section 160 defined betweenfirst and second channel sections 156 and 158.

[0046] In non-category 5-type applications, cover fitting 138 connectstwo mitered raceways 10 in the same manner as described above for coverfitting 12. However, unlike cover fitting 12, the channel sections 156,158, and 160 of cover fitting 138 correspond to raceway channels 30 and32 of each raceway 10 upon mating cover fitting 138 with each raceway10. Thus the need for guide ribs as used with cover fitting 12 iseliminated. Each channel section 156, 158, and 160 hold wires 27, whichdo not require a certain bend radius.

[0047] In category 5-type applications, an internal base fitting 170must be used with cover fitting 138 to provide the appropriate bendradius for wires 29, as discussed above with respect to cover fitting 12and base fitting 14.

[0048] Base fitting 170 includes a bottom 172 with a concave innersurface 173 that matches convex inner surface 148 of cover fitting 138and acute angle 162, such that base fitting 170 can be inserted betweenraceways 10 in the same manner as described above for base fitting 14,as best seen in FIG. 10. Similar to base fitting 14, base fitting 170has curved first, second, third, and fourth partitions 174,176, 178, and180 extending substantially perpendicularly from bottom 172 and each hasa curvature that matches the curvature of bottom 172. Partitions 174,176, 178, and 180 form three channel sections which correspond to thechannels of raceway 10 and the channel sections of cover fitting 138.Specifically, a first base outer channel section 182 is formed betweenfirst partition 174 and second partition 176. A second outer basechannel section 184 is formed between third and fourth partitions 178and 180, and a third inner base channel section 186 is formed betweenfirst and second outer base channel sections 182 and 184. First andsecond base channel sections 182 and 184 correspond to first and secondouter channel sections 156 and 158 of cover fitting 138 and third innerbase channel section 186 corresponds to middle channel section 160.

[0049] Upon assembling cover fitting 138 and base fitting 170, thechannel sections of cover fitting 138 and base fitting 170 form threechannels which correspond to the raceway channels 30 and 32 keeping thewires of each raceway channel separate as they extend through the coverfitting 138 and the base fitting 170. In addition, second and thirdpartitions 176 and 178 of base fitting 170 are received in first andsecond grooves 152 and 154 of cover fitting 138, and first and secondsides 144 and 146 of cover fitting 138 overlap first and fourthpartitions 174 and 180, respectively. Each partition 174, 176, 178, and180 further includes a cut out portion 192 that is shaped to accommodateconvex inner surface 148 of cover fitting such that each cut out portion192 abuts inner surface 148. Also, base fitting 170 is connected to eachraceway 10 in the same manner as base fitting 14. Specifically, firstand second base channel sections 182 and 184 of base fitting 170 eachinclude a track 188 extending therethrough which corresponds to tracks34 of first and second outer channels 30 of each raceway 10,respectively. In addition, a tab 190 extends from each end of each track188 and is received in tracks 34 connecting base fitting 170 to eachraceway 10.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 12-14, an external elbow or cover fitting 200,according to a third embodiment of the present invention, which likecover fitting 12 and cover fitting 138, includes a top 202 and first andsecond opposing sides 204 and 206 extending from opposing ends of coverfitting 200, as best seen in FIG. 14.

[0051] Top 202 is formed of two sections 208 with each section having afirst flat portion 210, a second ramp portion 212, and a third largerramp portion 214. A flat central portion 216 connects the two sections208 forming a substantially V-shaped top 202 wherein the inner surface218 forms the inner portion of the V and the outer surface 219 forms theouter portion of the V, as best seen in FIG. 14. First and second sides204 and 206 extend from inner surface 218 and are similarly V-shaped.This allows cover-fitting 200 to connect two raceways 10 when theyconverge to a corner forming an obtuse angle 220 therebetween, since theV-shape of top 202 matches obtuse angle 220, as best seen in FIGS. 12and 13, such that top 202 covers each raceway base 16 and first andsecond sides 204 and 206 overlap the sidewalls 22 of each raceway base16.

[0052] As with cover fittings 12 and 138, cover fitting 200 engagesraceway base 16 with hooks that connect to each lip 24 of each racewaybase 16. Cover fitting 200 also includes a central bend 222 disposedlaterally across top 202 that, like cover fittings 12 and 138,accommodates bend 44 of each raceway 10 upon assembling cover fitting200 with raceways 10. In addition, cover fitting 202 includes first andsecond grooves 228 and 230 which extend laterally across inner surface148 and form first and second outer channel sections 232 and 234 and amiddle channel section 236 in the same manner as first and secondgrooves 152 and 154 of cover fitting 138. Like cover fitting 138, innon-category 5 applications the channel sections 232, 234, and 236directly correspond to the channels 30 and 32 of each raceway 10 toseparate the wires 27 within each respective channel.

[0053] In category 5-type applications, an external base fitting 240must be used with cover fitting 200 to provide the appropriate bendradius. Base fitting 240 includes a bottom 242 having a convex midportion 244 and two curved outer portions 246 extending from mid portion244 forming a substantial V-shaped bottom 242, such that the innersurface 243 forms the outer portion of the V and the outer surface formsthe inner surface of the V inner surface to corresponding to coverfitting 200 and obtuse angle 220. This allows base fitting 240 to beinserted between raceways 10 in the same manner as described above forbase fitting 170, by employing tabs 262 that extend from tracks 264, asbest seen in FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0054] Similar to base fitting 170, base fitting 240 has curved first,second, third, and fourth partitions 248, 250, 252, and 254 extendingfrom inner surface 243 of bottom 242 and each is substantially V-shapedto match the curvature of inner surface 243. Like the partitions of basefitting 170, partitions 248, 250, 252, and 254 form first and secondbase outer channel sections 256 and 258, and a third inner base channelsection 260 in the same manner. Also, first and second base channelsections 256 and 258 correspond to first and second outer channelsections 232 and 234 of cover fitting 200 and third inner base channelsection 260 corresponds to middle channel section 236.

[0055] As with cover fitting 138 and base fitting 170, upon assemblingcover fitting 200 and base fitting 240, the channel sections of eachfitting form three channels that correspond to the channels 30 and 32 ofeach raceway 10 for holding wires 29. In addition, second and thirdpartitions 250 and 252 are received in first and second grooves 228 and230 of cover fitting 200, and first and second sides 204 and 206 ofcover fitting 200 overlap first and fourth partitions 248 and 254,respectively. First and fourth partitions 248 and 254 further eachinclude a flat end 266 that accommodates and abuts central portion 216of cover fitting 200.

[0056] By designing cover fittings 12, 138, and 200 in the fashiondescribed above, two substantially identical cover fittings can be usedfor two different applications. For example, with first and second coverfittings that are substantially identical, the first cover fitting canbe employed on a raceway that is mitered and the second cover fittingcan be used with a base fitting on a non-mitered raceway carrying, forexample, category 5 wires. Thus, manufacturing costs are reduced byrequiring only one mold to make both the first and second cover fittingsand efficiency is increased since the same cover fitting can be used forboth applications requiring bends, such as with category 5, and withapplications not requiring bends, such as with non-category 5applications.

[0057] While particular embodiments have been chosen to illustrate theinvention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes and modifications can be made therein without departingfrom the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cover fitting for a raceway, comprising: a tophaving inner and outer surfaces, first and second curved walls extendingalong said inner surface forming a first segment of a first groove forreceiving a first partition of a raceway base fitting covered by saidcover fitting, and a plurality of securing members extending outwardlyfrom said inner surface for engaging a portion of a raceway base; afirst side extending outwardly from said inner surface; and a secondside extending outwardly from said inner surface remote from said firstside.
 2. A cover fitting according to claim 1, wherein said securingmembers are hooks.
 3. A cover fitting according to claim 1, wherein saidtop includes a first guide rib extending along said inner surfaceforming a second segment of said first groove and extending beyond saidfirst curved wall whereby said guide rib assists in forming a firstchannel of the raceway base.
 4. A cover fitting according to claim 3,wherein said top includes a second guide rib extending along said innersurface forming a third segment of said first groove and extendingbeyond said first curved wall whereby a distal end of said second guiderib joins a distal end of said first guide rib.
 5. A cover fittingaccording to claim 4, wherein said first and second guide ribs aresubstantially linear and substantially perpendicular with respect to oneanother.
 6. A cover fitting according to claim 4, wherein said topincludes third and fourth curved walls forming a first segment of asecond groove for receiving a second partition of the base fitting.
 7. Acover fitting according to claim 6, wherein said top includes a thirdguide rib extending along said inner surface forming a second segment ofsaid second groove and extending beyond said third curved wall wherebysaid third guide rib assists in forming a second channel of the racewaybase.
 8. A cover fitting according to claim 7, wherein said top includesa fourth guide rib extending along said inner surface forming a thirdsegment of said second groove and extending beyond said third curvedwall whereby a distal end of said fourth guide rib joins a distal end ofsaid third guide rib.
 9. A cover fitting according to claim 8, whereinsaid third and fourth guide ribs are substantially linear andsubstantially perpendicular with respect to one another.
 10. A coverfitting according to claim 8, wherein said first and second sides aresubstantially perpendicular to said inner surface of said top.
 11. Acover fitting according to claim 8, wherein said cover fitting is aunitary, one-piece member.
 12. A cover fitting according to claim 8,wherein said top is L-shaped.
 13. A method of connecting twosubstantially identical cover fittings to a raceway wherein said twosubstantially identical cover fittings include first and second coverfittings, each of said first and second cover fittings having a top andopposing first and second sides, the method comprising the steps of:placing the first cover fitting over a junction point of two racewaybases, the junction point being a miter joint; and placing the secondcover fitting over a curved base fitting coupled between two racewaybases.
 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein each of the first andsecond cover fittings are attached to a common raceway base.
 15. Amethod according to claim 13, further comprising the step of: engagingthe first and second cover fittings with the raceway bases by snapfitting the sides of the first and second cover fittings with theraceway bases such that the top and sides of the first and second coverfittings cover the raceway bases.
 16. A method according to claim 15,wherein each of said raceway bases includes a cover mounted to each ofthe raceway bases, and further comprising the step of removing a firstportion of the cover of each of the raceways to expose a correspondingfirst portion of each of the raceway bases prior to placing the firstand second cover fittings on the raceway bases.
 17. A method accordingto claim 16, further comprising the step of: placing the first andsecond cover fittings over the exposed portions of the raceway basesprior to engaging the first and second cover fittings with the racewaybases.
 18. A method according to claim 17, further comprising the stepof: mounting the raceway bases to a supporting surface prior to removingthe first portions of the raceways.
 19. A method according to claim 18,further comprising the step of: inserting wires in the raceway basessubsequent to mounting the raceway bases on the supporting surface. 20.A method claim according to claim 19, further comprising the step of:mounting covers on each raceway base, respectively, subsequent toinserting the wires into the raceway bases.